Many in the public arena perceive the high school basketball coach as someone who rolls out balls in practice and then paces feverishly in front of a bench in a noisy gym for 32 minutes of action, directing and exhorting athletes to the pursuit of victory. Some might even see them as a glorified physical education teacher. Both perceptions are light-years from reality.
Often unappreciated are the countless hours and days coaches devote discharging an array of responsibilities beyond what occurs during the heat of competition or the quieter domain of practice. High school varsity basketball head coaches, to get the job done, must assume multiple roles: administrator, coach, teacher, manager, leader, communicator and relationship-builder, community organizer, fundraiser, role model, public relations promoter and mentor. Each has its own set of skills and learning curve and each commands keen attention and continuous diligence.Together they comprise a collection of tasks that are both fascinating and dizzying.
Prepping for Success contains everything aspiring and new high school basketball head coaches need to get acquainted with what the job requires, build a thriving basketball program and become effective coaches with long-term impact.It is easy to follow, succinct and comprehensive and an invaluable source for the new or young coach.
Before becoming a full-time writer and editor, Michael Coffino had two parallel careers: one in the courtroom and the other in the gymnasium. He was a litigation attorney and writing instructor for 36 years and concurrently devoted 24 years as a basketball coach, primarily at the high school level. During his coaching tenure, he coached both girls and boys basketball in both public and private schools, compiling a 318-138 record with six league titles. Since retiring from both, he has written five books, including Definitive Handbook. He is author of The Other Classroom: The Essential Importance of High School Athletics and Odds-On Basketball Coaching: Crafting High-Percentage Strategies for Game Situations. He is also the coauthor of a memoir titled Play It Forward: From Gymboree to the Yoga Mat and Beyond, which was released in 2016, and another memoir titled My Life: A Story of Resilience and Love, set for release in the spring of 2019. Michael also ghostwrites books, blogs and articles and freelance edits. He is currently writing his first work of fiction and working on a memoir for another client. Michael grew up in the Bronx, in its Mott Haven and Highbridge neighborhoods. He plays guitar, holds a black belt in karate and lives in Marin County, California. Michael has two adult sons, both teachers and high school basketball coaches.
